A tip of the hat to this Best Groomed crowd

By LENNIE BENNETT

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 14, 2001

A theory about what it takes to be named to the Best Groomed List: You have to know how to wear a hat.

Not all of this year's anointed ones wore hats to the Women's Service League Fashion Promenade at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club on Saturday. But I have seen all of them chapeauxed at various times over the years. And when they are in hats, they look like they mean it.

Toni Fudge, for example, three times on the Best Groomed List, wore a hat that resembled the one Rosalind Russell sported during the hunt scene in Auntie Mame. Mrs. Fudge said she was actually planning to wear hers to the Kentucky Derby. It was swathed in netting and I asked if eating was a challenge with a decorative screen in front of her mouth.

"Oh, I just lift it up," she said.

John Murphy did not wear a hat, so I admired his tie.

"Guys get ties because we can't drape ourselves in Judith Leibers," he said. Too true.

Others in hats were Carol Russell in a cloche made of gray straw that concealed her signature blond topknot, and Dr. Joe Pilkington, who is so Best Groomed that he coordinated his outfit -- a mix of Armani and Hart Schaffner & Marx -- with Celma Mastry's red St. John suit. (She's been on the list so many times she is now a Hall of Famer.)

They said it was coincidental, but Carol Upham, an inductee, and her daughter, Mary Ann Will, also came coordinated, in black skirts and purple tops.

Congratulations to others who made the cut this year: Eric Lang Peterson, Anne Anderson, Kim Brett, Joan Van Middlesworth, Fred Shuh, Mary Wheeler, a talented amateur seamstress who made her outfit, Betty Bowley, Barbara DeMaire, Helena Miller and Walter Larson, who said he brought a second change of clothes "just in case." (Another quality all Best Groomed people seem to share: They are prepared for contingencies.)

These Best Groomed folks were in good company; the crowd was one well-dressed group. In it were Marguerite Dawson, with her guests Candy Bauer, Joan Forbes, Cris Grundman, Betty Renfro Sandy Wasson and Wendy Wasson; Phyllis Williams; Priscilla Young; Karol Bullard; Edie Pace; Joan Jaicks; Alice Emmet and her daughter Patty Gowland; Peg Nunn, another Hall of Famer wearing a broad-brimmed hat with authority, as she always does; Marsha Anderson; Kim Brandimore and Diane Foley.

Men, as a rule, do not come to these things "for fun." Case in point was Jim Klemawesch, there to escort the women down the runway and who confessed to a case of nerves.

"I've never done this before," he said. "My mom got this suit for me."

I dropped in at a table where two guys sat, looking very Best Groomed. As it turned out, they were James Martin and Carl Brown, representing Humana, one of the event sponsors. "We brought nurses with us," said Martin, "because we heard that some of the ladies get excited about the male models and might need CPR."

The Best Groomed List is a 51-year tradition for the Women's Service League, the group that selects individuals and hosts the luncheon. We were welcomed by league president Doris McIntyre and event chairwoman Barbara Sexton, who reminded me that there were three charter members attending: Anne Gooden, Patricia Harris and Pearl Walker. And 15 50-year members also were present. (No wonder they chose the theme "And the Beat Goes On.")

Every year, proceeds are donated to charity. This year's recipient is the YWCA Family Village, which is using the money for a playground, said executive director Peggy Sanchez Mills and board president Pamela Skyrme.

The fashion show, presented by Lois Senton and Barbara Kurant, owner of Annabel's, was a nod to this week's warming trend, with lightweight knit suits, silks and cottons.

I asked Charley Williams how the Best Groomed List was compiled each year.

"Anyone can nominate a person, including yourself," she said. "Then a secret committee chooses from the nominees."

Some "secrets" -- like who is going to be the next Queen of Hearts -- are all over town half an hour after the top-secret decision is made. But this Best Groomed selection committee really seems to be a secret, and that is probably a wise thing.

"Although," I said to Mrs. Williams, "think of all the stuff these committee people could rake in from Best Groomed aspirants." (What's power for if you can't abuse it, right?)

But back to my original theory about hats. The best hat in the room -- a smart woven straw number -- was worn by Bonita Cobb, so I assumed that she, too, was a Best Groomed person.

"Oh, no," she said. "I've been seen by spies getting my newspaper in old socks. So I've started the Worst Ungroomed Club."

To no one's surprise, she asked me to be on the non-secret selection committee.

Looking ahead

Feb. 27

WEBB'S CITY: THE MUSICAL, REDUX: The popular local musical will return to the Mahaffey Theater in November, but you can get a preview of it at a presentation and reception at Palladium Theater. 7 p.m. 253 Fifth Ave. N. 521-3829.

March 1

TOWN AND GOWN OPEN HOUSE: The support group for University of South Florida-St. Petersburg invites you to meet Dr. Judy Genshaft, university president, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the newly opened Florida Center for Teachers at the corner of Second Street and Sixth Avenue S. 553-1561.

March 5

LUNCHEON OF LIGHT: The Lamplighters, a guild supporting Metropolitan Ministries, hosts a fashion show by Saks Fifth Avenue at the Hyatt Regency Westshore, 6200 Courtney Campbell Parkway. 11 a.m. $50. (813) 837-2070.

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